2B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - March 4, 2002 CLUBSPORTSWEEKLY - Edited by Kareem Copeland and JimWeber ue rifles through opponents for fourth Going international7 ATHLETE.OF THE WEEK Who: Katie Jazwinski Hometown: Grand Rapids Sport: Women's track Year: Junior 01 By Charles Paradis Daily Sports Writer Rifle sports have been a part of Matthew Wolterstorff's life ever since he was young. At Michigan, Wolterstorff found a way to continue his interest. "I grew up shooting with my dad, and when I came here I got on the team and started getting into the competi- tion," Wolterstorff said. For Wolterstorff and other rifle enthusiasts at Michigan, there is a way to continue their interests in rifle sports or to develop a new attraction to the activity. Devotees like Wolterstorff, and the nine others on the Michigan rifle team, practice and compete against other schools in the nation. Over spring break, the Michigan rifle team traveled to Purdue for the Western Intercollegiate Rifle Conference Cham- pionship. Many of the other schools in the conference, such as conference champion Ohio State, field varsity teams. But the Wolverines compete as a club sport. This does not prevent the team from competing at the highest level, as Michigan finished fourth at the championships last Saturday. This weekend, Michigan will take on several other schools in the state, when it competes in the Michigan ROTC League championship. The Wolverines have won the Michigan ROTC League for the last 15 years. The team hopes to continue the streak this weekend when M'NOTES it takes on the likes of Western Michi- gan and Eastern Michigan. "We are almost certain to win the tournament this Saturday," Wolterstorff said. While the local league derives its name from the reserve officer training corps, the association with the ROTC faded away a long time ago. Since marksmanship was dropped from the ROTC program, the rifle competition is no longer connected with the program. "It was started as an ROTC league a while ago, but now most of the schools aren't ROTC affiliated," Wolterstorff said. The dominance of the Michigan ROTC League is just one piece of the storied history of the Michigan rifle team. The team has been around for more than half a century, making it one of the oldest clubs on campus. The ranks of the Michigan rifle team have thinned out recently because of a move the team was forced to make. While the Wolverines once had a prac- tice range on campus, they must now travel to Jackson every Sunday to prac- tice. The team had practice facilities on Huron Parkway, but due to expansion by the University, the shooting range is now a construction site. Because of this increased distance and the use of a pri- vate rifle range, the team has been forced to cut back from 22 members to just 10. The team hopes to be able to expand its numbers in the future. What: Jazwinski was the catalyst for the Wolverines' Big Ten Championship run, finishing with 26 points in three events. She won the mile run, and then earned second place in both the 3,000-meter and 5,000 meter runs. Jazwin- ski was named Athlete of the Meet for her success in State College, and continued her roll this past weekend, notching a time of 4:44.4 at the Alex Wilson Invitational - the best of the Invitational. SPORTSB3RMFS DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily Michigan's figure skating team placed in the top six at the U.S. Synchronized Team Championships, making it an internationally competitive team for the first time ever. Soccer riot injues 3 BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Pre-game violence between rival soccer fans at three sites yesterday left at least 30 people injured, including one in serious condition with multiple stab wounds. A large group of River and Nueva Chicago fans fought outside the sta- dium about 30 minutes before the game. Fans then confronted police, who brought them under control using rubber bullets and mounted police. One person was in serious condi- tion after being stabbed in the stom- ach, thigh and head, a spokesman from the Hospital Pirovano said. At least 12 others were taken to a hospi- tal, and had already been released. Police confirmed they had made at least four arrests, though they had no confirmation of the final number injured. Similar violence two weeks ago in Buenos Aires and La Plata resulted in three deaths. Kobe shows O'Neal how to land punches NEW YORK (AP) - Kobe Bryant and Reggie Miller were each suspended two games without pay by the NBA yesterday for fighting at the end of a Pacers-Lakers game. Both players also were fined - Bryant $12,500 and Miller $10,000 - for the fight that occurred after the Lak- ers won 96-84 on Friday night in Los Angeles. Bryant missed and will miss Lakers' home games yesterday against the Houston Rockets and tomorrow against the New Jersey Nets. Miller missed yes- terday's game against the Sacramento Kings and will be out for tomorrow's home game against the Orlando Magic. The NBA suspended Bryant for "throwing a punch and fighting" and Miller for "retaliating against Bryant and fighting." Lakers spokesman John Black said he hadn't spoken to Bryant since learn- ing of the NBA's decision yesterday morning. "I'm sure he won't contest the sus- pension,"he said. The fight took place near center court, after the final buzzer. Miller appeared to be walking toward Bryant after the game, apparently trash-talking, when Bryant suddenly threw a punch. The melee spilled over onto the scorers' bench before order was restored. After the game, Bryant issued a state- ment through the team, saying, "If somebody comes at me, I'm going to defend myself." Indiana coach Isiah Thomas sai* words apparently were exchanged. "I saw Kobe take a swing," he said. "Before I knew it, everyone was trying to grab each other and hold each other and make peace. I don't know what they were saying or what it was about." Cooper stays in-state with new position CINCINNATI (AP) -The Cincinnat Bengals have hired former Ohio State coach John Cooper as a part-time con- sultant to help the Bengals scout college players and assess them for the NFL draft. Cooper, 64, started as consultant/spe- cial assistant on Friday at the NFL's scouting combine in Indianapolis, the Bengals said Thursday. "I feel like I can help them uncover the kind of information that teams need about players before they draft them," Cooper said. Ohio State fired Cooper after the 2000 season. He had a 111434 record as its coach, but a record of 2-10-1 against rival Michigan Bengals owner and president Mike Brown is an admirer of Cooper and has long followed Ohio State, where his father, Paul Brown, coached 60 years ago. "He has been a very accomplished coach," Mike Brown said of Cooper. "He knows good players and coaches and he's wired into the college football world." This is Cooper's first experience with an NFL team. __ Workouts bring team together in Austin The Michigan rowing team spent spring break in unseasonably cold Austin, Texas preparing for the upcoming spring season. Coach Mark Rothstein was pleased with the work the Wolverines got in. "We got done what we needed to get done," Rothstein said. "We showed some good speed." In addition to the difficult work- outs, Rothstein knows that trips of this nature can help to bring the team together. On Saturday, the Wolverines con- cluded their trip with a series of 2,000-meter exhibition races against the Texas. The Wolverines' first boat lost just one of the races, and it was to Michigan's own second boat. The Wolverines hope that the results of the friendly competition are a sign of things to come. Although it can be difficult to tell this early just how fast the team is going to be, Rothstein is optimistic about the team's chances for suc- cess. ."We're definitely going to be a solid team," Rothstein said. "We'll learn a lot more when we row against Duke and Virginia" in the first official regatta on March 30. Rothstein also commented that with the conditions constantly changing, the team's times can be hard to evaluate. So with no defini- tive method for evaluation, the Wolverines are set for a few weeks of rigorous practice before their true season begins. "We want to solidify our selec- tions for positions" in the next few weeks, Rothstein said. "There is a lot of competition (for different spots). We (also) want to improve technically and continue to work on our fitness." - Dan Rosen Blue salvages break with weekend wins After being swept by seventh-ranked Long Beach State, No. 8 San Diego and eleventh-ranked Cal-San Diego (Feb. 26-27), the Michigan water polo team rebounded Saturday with three wins in the Brown Invitational. The No. 13 Wolverines defeated Iona, Princeton and No. 18 Brown - with a 6-4 overtime win. In the losing efforts last week, Michigan (8-10) was lead by Julie Nisbet and Jen Crisman with four and three goals, respectively. Michigan will head to Slippery Rock, Pa. for the Southern Division Tourna- ment this weekend. The Wolverines will face Washington & Jefferson, Grove City, Penn State-Behrend and Slippery Rock. - Staff reports Gruden hires Parrish in first move as coach Former Michigan offensive coordi- nator and quarterbacks coach Stan Par- rish was hired by Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden to be the Buccaneers' new quarterbacks coach. Parrish was one of seven new offen- sive assistants acquired by Gruden on Feb. 25 in hopes of bolstering Tampa Bay's offense, which was tied for 11 th in the NFC last season in total yards per game. Reasons for why Gruden hired Parrish can be seen in the success of Parrish's former Michigan quarter- backs - including this year's Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady. - Staff reports Pitching problems lead to 1-8 start The Michigan baseball team ven- tured to sunny California to hit the diamond against some premier pro- grams in the collegiate ranks last week. Sunny weather usually equals better performance in baseball. Although the warm climate helped satiate the team's batting needs, pitching was a different story. During the team's first seven games, the Wolverines surren- dered 76 runs, compared to the 41 runs that they earned. The team gave up ten runs.or more in five out of the seven games. Pitching clearly is an immediate area of concern for the Wolverines. The pitching became a problem for the Wolverines when the other teams began to strike early. In the third game against UC-Riverside, Senior right-hander Bobby Korecky gave up four runs in the first two innings. Although the offense was able to aid the cause by providing three runs, the host Highlanders broke the game open with six runs in the fifth. Korrecky lasted into the sixth, where he faced just two batters. He ended up being charged with two runs, which amount- ed to 12 in all for the evening. The win helped propel the Highlanders to first place in their own Riverside Baseball Invitational. Pitching woes continued during the Wolverines contest against Oregon State. Although senior left-hander Jeff Trzos pitched a personal best five and two-thirds straight innings of one run ball, his success ran out in the sixth. With the game tied 1-1, the Anteaters shook Tzros down for 6 runs. Harri- son was forced to go to his bullpen, which was eventually ruffed up for 10 more runs. Success and the brightest part of the tournament came against University of California-Irvine. Pitching came togeth- er in the form of a six inning, dominant performance by junior right-hander Tien Leveque. Leveque allowed a stingy three hits and one run, earning his first victory of the season. When the pitching came together, the Wolverine's bats were able to talk. Wolverine hitters came through with nine hits, which brought home four runs, including two RBI from first base- man Mike Sokol. Throughout the tournament, pitching woes had overshadowed the powerful bats of Wolverines like catcher Jake Fox, third baseman Brock Koman, and multitalented right-hander, second baseman, and designated hitter Bobby Korecky. It is clear that this west coast trip has been a hard one; however, the Michigan baseball team knows what it has to do. If Harrison can keep his pitchers on the mound for six quality innings, the strength of the team, the hitting, can come through and propel the team to a very positive and successful season. -from staff reports Softball continues success down South Michigan softball pitchers Nicole Motycka (6-2) and Marissa Young (8- 2) continued their winning ways last week with wins over four top-25 teams - Arizona State, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Oregon State. In the NFCA Leadoff Classic, the Wolverines lost to No. 8 Arizona State on the first day 6-4, Motycka's first loss of the season. On Feb. 24, Young got revenge allowing just one run in Michigan's 5-1 victory. Young also had two singles in the win. - Staff reports Thursday March 7 M Basketball vs. Northwestern at Big Ten Tournament (Indianapolis, Ind.), 4:3 p.m. Friday, March 8 Softball vs. Winthrop at Florida State Classic, 2 p.m. Softball vs. Missouri-Kansas City at Florida State Classic, 6 p.m. M Tennis at Minnesota, 7:30 pm. Hockey vs. Lake Superior in CCHA First-Round Series, 7:35 p.m. Baseball at Texas-San Antonio, 8 p.m. M Basketball at Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals (Indianapolis, Ind.), TBA M Track/Field at NCAA Championships (Fayetteville, Ark.) W Track/Field at NCAA Championships (Fayetteville, Ark.) Saturday March 9 Softball vs. Ball State at Florida State Classic, Noon Water Polo vs. Washington & Jefferson at Southern Division Tournament (Slip- pery Rock, Pa.), 1 p.m. Baseball at Texas-San Antonio, 2 p.m. W Gymnastics vs. Denver and Washington, 4 p.m. Water Polo vs. Grove City (Slippery Rock, Pa.), 4 p.m. Ice Hockey hosts CCHA First-Round Series, 7:35 p.m. M Basketball at Big Ten Tournament Semifinals (Indianapolis, Ind.), TBA Softball at Florida State Classic Playoffs, TBA M Track/Field at NCAA Championships (Fayetteville, Ark.) W Track/Field at NtAA Championships (Fayetteville, Ark.) Wrestling at Big Ten Championships (Champaign) Sunday, March 10 Water Polo vs.-Penn State-Behrend (Slippery Rock, Pa.), 11:30 a.m. M Tennis at Wisconsin, 1 p.m. Baseball at Texas-San Antonio, 2 p.m. Water Polo at Slippery Rock in Southern Division Tournament, 2:30 p.m. Ice Hockey hosts CCHA First-Round Series, 7:35 p.m. (if necessary) M Basketball at Big Ten Tournament Championship Game, 3:30 p.m. Softball at Florida State Classic Championship Rounds, TBA Wrestling at Big Ten Championships (Champaign) DAILY3COXLOARD NBA STANDINGS NHL STANDINGS Free trip to Israel!1 Sun History Trekking Jerusalem Archaeology Beaches EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division New Jersey Boston Orlando Philadelphia Washington Miami New York Central Division Detroit Milwaukee Charlotte Indiana Toronto Atl nta Clefeland Chicago WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest Division Dallas Minnesota San Antonio Utah Houston Denver Memphis W 39 31 31 30 28 25 21 W 34 34 29 29 29 21 21 16 W 40 40 38 32 21, 17 15 Pct .672 .534 .525 .517 .483 .439 .368 Pct .596 .586 .492 .492 .475 .362 .356 .271 Pct .690 .678 .647 .552 .368 .309 .259 Pct .737 .702 .593 .542 .500 .475 .281 GB 8 8.5 9 11 13.5 17.5 GB .5 6 6 7 13.5 14 19 GB .5 2.5 8 18.5 21.5 25.5 GB 1.5 7.5 10 13 14.5 25.5 Northeast Division W Boston 32 Toronto 32 Ottawa 31 Montreal 25 Buffalo 24 Southeast Division W Carolina 26 Washington 25 Tampa Bay 22 Florida 17 Atlanta 16 L 18 19 18 25 27 L 22 27 30 36 35 EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Philadelphia 35 16 N.Y. Islanders 30 20 New Jersey 27 22 N.Y. Rangers 28 27 Pittsburgh 23 28 OL 3 3 3 3 4 OL 7 4 5 3 1 OL 5 1 3 4 4 OL 2 0 3 0 3 OL 1 3 2 3 5 OL 3 ,3 Pts 79 70 66 63 56 Pts 76 74 74 61 57 Pts 68 60 53 43 43 Pts 96 77 73 58 43 Pts 76 67 65 62 53 Pts 74 69 GF GA 187 138 178 165 151 143 173 190 144 176 GF GA 184 155 181 153 192 150 156 164 157 156 GF GA 172 184 168 188 123 151 130 189 145 217 GF GA 197 133 177 166 168 139 149 160 124 181 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division W L Detroit 44 11 Chicago 34 20 St. Louis 31 19 Nashville 24 27 Columbus 16 35 91 Pacific Division W L Sacramento 42 16 L.A. Lakers 40 17 Portland 35 24 Seattle 33 27 L.A. Clippers 30 30 Phoenix 28 31 Golden State 16 41 Yesterday's games Philadelphia 96, TORONTO 84 Detroit 83 CHARLOTTE 81 NEW JERSEY 92, Chicago 84 San Antonio 99, NY KNIcKs 83 Northwest Division W Colorado 34 Vancouver 29 Edmonton 26 Calgary 25 Minnesota 19 L 21 25 24 24 28 GF GA 163 130 191 166 155 148 146 161 143 184 GF GA 181 150 165 142 ' Pacific Division W L San Jose 32 19 Los Angeles 29 2: L9 >1 T 7 8 m